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Middlebury Church Deal For Steeple Falls Through

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. (AP) _ A deal to install a hidden cellular tower in a Middlebury church steeple has fallen through.

The Republican-American reports that members of the board of trustees of the Middlebury Congregational Church were negotiating with Verizon Wireless. Jonathan Dayton, chairman of the church board, said Wednesday that money for the deal was pulled. He did not provide details.

The deal could have generated as much as $2,500 a month in revenue for the church.
Verizon would have helped rebuild part of the steeple housing most of the cellular equipment.
The newspaper said a Verizon representative was not available for comment.

Another church has been enlisted in the effort to boost cell phone use. The steeple at the 183-year-old First Church of Bethlehem is being replaced and fitted with an antenna.
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Information from: Republican-American, http://www.rep-am.com